Thursday, June 7, 2012

Sewing Again : :

I'm here and am finally sewing again! We really appreciate all the sweet comments you left us -- congratulating Kevin on his races, on understanding the disappointment we were feeling on the house situation, and in regards to the passing of Grandma Jane. Thank you!!

I brought back a pretty glass of roses from her garden, aren't they beautiful?!

Yesterday in the late afternoon I found my opportunity and dove right into sewing. It felt great, just what I needed in fact!

My niece Josie and I share a birthday this Sunday on the 10th, woohoo! I'll be thirty-one, in case you're wondering! :)

So... just as I've done for all my little nieces and nephews this year, I made her a Birthday Crown and Pillow set.

I tried out two more stitches on my new Janome -- the applique stitch, to add all the pillow details and the oval satin stitch, to add the flowers to her crown. I am having so much fun with these stitches! It's amazing what a huge difference changing up the stitching can make to a project. Even to something as simple as a birthday crown, which I have made over 500 of now -- WOW!!

I'm hoping Josie likes both the birdie themed pillow and the color coral, you know I love both!

I tied them together in my favorite yellow Divine Twine and sent her package out the door just before the Post Office closed last night. I hope she loves it!! Happy Birthday, Josie Bear!! Love, Aunt Maureen -- which she actually pronounces "Aunt Mean" -- can you believe it?!

Last night I even finished up my May AND June bee blocks, but I'll save those to share another day!

I used my AccuQuilt GO!Baby for most of the applique pieces -- the bird, bird wing, and the scalloped door shapes for the birdhouse. Everything else I hand-cut for the pillow. Feel free to make one for yourself! :)

Josie is one lucky lady. Maybe you should yourself a crown too :) We just bought our first house and it was so stressful. I can't imagine going through most of that process and not ending up with it. I hope you guys find your dream home soon. I'm sure it will be worth the wait and stress!

Well "Aunt Mean" you're going to have to email me your address. Because every birthday girl needs a little birthday fun mail! You never cease to amaze and inspire me with every new thing that you create. You are so blessed!

So sorry about the house but you are right...it wasn't meant to be and I'm sure the perfect house for you will be in your future soon!I love the coral pillow and crown! Your nieces and nephews are so lucky to have you for an Aunt that makes such special things for themI also love that lampshade in the picture you showed with a "peek" of giveaway which is also sweet! Did you make that lampshade? I love it! Was it in a previous post perhaps? Glad you're back and sewing!

Kevin was fortunate to have had his Grandma Jane for so many years. My kids still have their grandmothers, but have lost both grandfathers in the past 7 years. My boys are 39 and 41 and have been very lucky. There are always other houses...many more than there are people to buy them. We tried very hard to buy another house before this one and just couldn't negotiate with the seller. We finally offered her asking price and she wanted 4 months to get out (this was her mom's empty house, not one she was living in) so we walked away. Two weeks later we found this one and it was exactly what we were looking for. We made an offer and had it accepted the day we looked at it. I still drive past the other house and it is still for sale two years later. I'm really much more satisfied with this one. Just don't give up. You learn something with every experience. Your niece will love the pillow and crown. I think Aunt Mean is cute! :) Enjoy 31--you are still so young.

I know what you mean. I sewed for the first time since we moved into our house. I just cleared off enough space to sew and cut out a pattern. I merged a couple of patterns and made my own knit pattern. I basted my first jersey knit dress and it actually turned out just like I wanted it to, much to my surprise. It totally made my week! Now I just need to find time to serge it.

I love the crowns (I have two of yours for my girls. I need to buy a third!), and the pillow is so so sweet!

If you don't mind sharing, what type of wool blend do you use? I have some that I've purchased, but it seems so stiff. I'm wondering if there is a type out there that is softer and better for pillows and plushies :)